Fresno State quarterback David Carr shows off his Houston Texans jersey at a press conference introducing him as the expansion Texans' No. 1 overall draft pick on April 20, 2002.

Fresno State quarterback David Carr shows off his Houston Texans jersey at a press conference introducing him as the expansion Texans' No. 1 overall draft pick on April 20, 2002.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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David Carr had a moment to remember in his NFL regular-season debut, throwing two touchdown passes to help the Texans defeat the Dallas Cowboys 19-10 in their first game on Sept. 8, 2002 at Reliant Stadium.

David Carr had a moment to remember in his NFL regular-season debut, throwing two touchdown passes to help the Texans defeat the Dallas Cowboys 19-10 in their first game on Sept. 8, 2002 at Reliant Stadium.

Photo: Karen Warren / Chronicle

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David Carr's rookie season in the NFL was a rough one. Carr threw only nine touchdowns passes against 15 interceptions while being sacked an NFL-record 76 times.

David Carr's rookie season in the NFL was a rough one. Carr threw only nine touchdowns passes against 15 interceptions while being sacked an NFL-record 76 times.

Photo: Christobal Perez / Houston Chronicle

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David Carr was limited to 12 games in 2003 because of injury. He threw just nine touchdown passes as the Texans finished 5-11.

David Carr was limited to 12 games in 2003 because of injury. He threw just nine touchdown passes as the Texans finished 5-11.

Photo: David J. Phillip / Associated Press

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David Carr and the Texans fared better in 2004. Carr threw for 3,531 yards and 16 touchdowns, and the Texans finished 7-9, then the best record in franchise history.

David Carr and the Texans fared better in 2004. Carr threw for 3,531 yards and 16 touchdowns, and the Texans finished 7-9, then the best record in franchise history.

Photo: Jamie Squire / Getty Images

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David Carr and the Texans had a dark campaign in 2005. Carr threw just 14 touchdown passes, and the Texans finished as the NFL's worst team with a 2-14 record.

David Carr and the Texans had a dark campaign in 2005. Carr threw just 14 touchdown passes, and the Texans finished as the NFL's worst team with a 2-14 record.

Photo: Ted S. Warren / Associated Press

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The Texans held a news conference Feb. 10, 2006 to announce they were exercising an $8 million option on David Carr's contract. In attendance were (from left) Texans owner Bob NcNair, Carr and first-year head coach Gary Kubiak.
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The Texans held a news conference Feb. 10, 2006 to announce they were exercising an $8 million option on David Carr's contract. In attendance were (from left) Texans owner Bob NcNair, Carr and first-year head ... more

Photo: Craig Hartley / For the Chronicle

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David Carr played in all 16 games during the 2006 season, his final with the Texans. He threw for 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions as the Texans finished 6-10.

David Carr played in all 16 games during the 2006 season, his final with the Texans. He threw for 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions as the Texans finished 6-10.

Photo: James Nielsen / Houston Chronicle

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David Carr was waived by the Texans after the 2006 season.

David Carr was waived by the Texans after the 2006 season.

Photo: Julie Jacobson / Associated Press

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David Carr signed with the Carolina Panthers in 2007 after being waived by the Texans. He played in six games, throwing three touchdowns against five interceptions.

David Carr signed with the Carolina Panthers in 2007 after being waived by the Texans. He played in six games, throwing three touchdowns against five interceptions.

Photo: Harry How / Getty Images

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Panthers quarterback David Carr stretches during pre-game warmups before facing his former team, the Texans, on Sept. 16, 2007. Carr did not play that day.

Panthers quarterback David Carr stretches during pre-game warmups before facing his former team, the Texans, on Sept. 16, 2007. Carr did not play that day.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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David Carr signed with the New York Giants in 2008. In a backup role, he appeared in three games and threw two touchdown passes.

David Carr signed with the New York Giants in 2008. In a backup role, he appeared in three games and threw two touchdown passes.

Photo: Winslow Townson / AP

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Eli Manning congratulates teammate David Carr after Carr's touchdown run against the Oakland Raiders on October 11, 2009. Carr appeared in six games during the 2009 campaign.

Eli Manning congratulates teammate David Carr after Carr's touchdown run against the Oakland Raiders on October 11, 2009. Carr appeared in six games during the 2009 campaign.

Photo: Jim McIsaac / Getty Images

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David Carr signed with the San Francisco 49ers before the 2010 season. He saw action in one regular-season game.

David Carr signed with the San Francisco 49ers before the 2010 season. He saw action in one regular-season game.

Photo: San Francisco Chronicle

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David Carr returned to the Giants in 2011.

David Carr returned to the Giants in 2011.

Photo: Michael Dwyer / Associated Press

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David Carr didn't see the field during the 2011 season as Eli Manning guided the Giants to their second Super Bowl title in four seasons.

David Carr didn't see the field during the 2011 season as Eli Manning guided the Giants to their second Super Bowl title in four seasons.

Photo: Michael Dwyer / Associated Press

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David Carr, right, enjoyed his time in Indianapolis for the Super Bowl.

David Carr, right, enjoyed his time in Indianapolis for the Super Bowl.

Photo: Eric Gay / Associated Press

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During the 2012 season, David Carr appeared in two games.

During the 2012 season, David Carr appeared in two games.

Photo: Bill Kostroun / Associated Press

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David Carr, left, has a brief word with his brother, Derek Carr, after USC defeated Fresno State in the Las Vegas Bowl on Dec. 21, 2013. David Carr did not play in the NFL in 2013.

David Carr, left, has a brief word with his brother, Derek Carr, after USC defeated Fresno State in the Las Vegas Bowl on Dec. 21, 2013. David Carr did not play in the NFL in 2013.

Photo: Craig Kohlruss / MCT

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David Carr still has urge to play in NFL

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A little more than two months before the 2014 NFL draft, Derek Carr is playing a waiting game, as names and picks are tied to teams, then jumbled up and reordered in a daily ritual.

Derek’s older brother, David, is done waiting. A 6-foot-3, 215-pound quarterback who never became what the Texans wanted and spent last season out of the league is making an announcement. He wants back in the NFL. And for the first time in his pro career, he believes he could surprise.

“It’s all been positive and it’s been pushing me towards, ‘Yeah, I think that I can absolutely do this,’ ” said Carr, who spent 2002-06 with the Texans, completing 60 percent of his passes for 13,391 yards, 59 touchdowns and 65 interceptions.

The NFL is more QB-driven than ever. But an offensive-minded league – which could see three questionable quarterbacks taken in the top-five picks of the 2014 draft – also features multiple washouts and no-namers in secondary roles. Jon Kitna, 41, came out of retirement at the end of 2013 to hold a clipboard when backup Kyle Orton became a temporary starter for the Dallas Cowboys.

“There’s no question in my mind (David) can be a backup quarterback in the NFL. Absolutely none,” said Charley Casserly, the Texans’ GM in 2002 and a current NFL Network analyst. “This quarterback class right now that is on the street is very weak. He can absolutely …